Pastor Rich Lammay
The book of James has been called “The Proverbs of the New Testament.” Like Proverbs, James contains wisdom for living a godly life. However, unlike Proverbs, James takes the Gospel and provides us with powerful images of what it looks like to live the life that Jesus commanded us to live.
Some people might read the book of James and walk away thinking that James is opposed to salvation by grace. They arrive at that conclusion because they are reading James as if it were a self-help book. Even the reformer Martin Luther was not impressed with James until he understood it. James’s intention was not to write a how-to book, but to provide a model of walking by faith.
The book of James, being no self-help book, is actually for those who have lived without Christ and need to know what new life in Jesus looks like. James provides us with practical examples of a holy and godly life, as well as an understanding of what it means to walk in the Spirit.
James reveals that the Spirit-filled person does not show favoritism. He writes about how they control their tongue, refraining from gossip. They are submitted to God as they apply the teachings of the Lord Jesus to their lives.
One of James’ most important teachings is in James 1:22-25, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”
What a powerful truth: God’s word is like a mirror that reveals truth. No one would look in a mirror and see something gross, then walk away; perhaps their makeup is messed up, or there’s food in their beard. When we observe those things, we take action to correct them.
That’s exactly how the Word of God should be. As you read your Bible and it reveals truth, your response should be to act on what is revealed. Maybe it’s a sin you need to repent of or a person you need to forgive and make amends with. Be that as it may, if you are a follower of Jesus, you must be a doer of the word and not someone who hears but does not act.
The book of James takes the words of our Lord and helps us see how to apply them. As in Luke 11:28, where Jesus said: “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
If you want real blessings in your life, hear the word of the Lord and act on what you hear. The first step is to believe in Jesus and receive the free gift of salvation. Then let God’s word speak to you. I suggest you begin with the book of James.
Pastor Rich Lammay of High Sierra Fellowship is a member of the Carson Valley Ministers’ Association.